ultimate block party is coming to baltimore

It happened in Central Park. It happened in Toronto.

And now it's happening right here in Charm City.

On October 2nd, the Baltimore Ultimate Block Party will rock Rash Field at the Inner Harbor. But don't think burgers, brats and beer -- think play, play and more play. With a side of learning. For FREE.

It's a day of play all based on brain science. Or really, aiming to show how play supports a child's cognitive, emotional and social development.

"The Ultimate Block Party shares a common vision and understanding with Family Institute and the event’s many other sponsors that play equals learning," said Susan Magsamen, president of the organization Ultimate Block Party (UBP) and director of interdisciplinary partnerships for Johns Hopkins Brain Science Institute.

While Magsamen hopes Baltimore's Ultimate Block Party demonstrates how children learn best through discovery, imagination, play and collaborative learning, she and other event planners have a much simpler goal, too. They simply want area area families to come out, let loose and have fun-- together.

More than 27 of Charm City's favorite family-friendly businesses and organizations are banding together for a rollicking afternoon of fun for kids and kids at heart. Attendees will be be playing in clay with Baltimore Clayworks, making Alphadoodle puzzles with The Walters Art Museum, tumbling through Nature Play Spaces with Parks and People Foundation, and mixing things up at the science inquiry station with the Maryland Science Center. T. Rowe Price is sponsoring a Great Piggy Bank adventure, the Goddard School is organizing a Let's Play! Cafe, Scrapkins is setting up a recycled art factory, there will be family hip hop with For the People Entertainment... and those are just a few of the activities you and your kids can get in on. At each station will be a description of how the particular activity supports a child's brain development.

Don't you just love when fun meets science?

Hosted by the Ultimate Block Party and Port Discovery Children’s Museum, the event is sponsored by several local and national organizations: Baltimore City Public Schools’ Family Institute, Johns Hopkins Brain Science Institute, the Goddard Schools, the Walters Art Museum, T. Rowe Price, Sprout, Child First Authority, and the Center for Jewish Education.

Be sure to add Ultimate Block Party to your 'must do' fall bucket list. The party starts at 11:00 AM on October 2nd and wraps at 5:00 PM. For more details, parking information and directions, check out the Baltimore City Public Schools website.

(cool) tip: If you're driving to this event, the cheap metered parking along Key Highway is probably your best bet for stashing your car. It's just 25 cents an hour!